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Citing safety concerns, state parks officials are cutting down 50 large mature eucalyptus trees at the Carpinteria State Beach campground loop. State Parks official Rich Rozelle said the tree roots have caused sidewalks to buckle and pose a “tripping hazard,” adding that in the past 10 years one camper has suffered an unspecified personal injury and up to six incidents of property damage have occurred. Rozelle said the removed trees will be replaced with sycamores, which, unlike eucalyptus, are native to the area. The tree cutting work will take about a month, and pedestrian access will be impeded.

Eucs are non-native, brittle trees that drop large limbs as they age. Long term, the sycamores are a much better choice. Hopefully, they start with a minimum size 24" box variety. 48" would be even better.